A new home gives you the chance to plan the house and yard together. The deck can carry the character of the architecture outside, create a place to gather, and connect the back door to the rest of the property.
At BigDecks, that conversation starts with our namesake OG 4×12: a substantial real-wood surface board arrangement in Douglas fir or Western red cedar. Choose the look you want, then work through the layout and construction details with the people building it.
Bring the deck into the conversation early
If your home is still being built, share the proposed deck with your homebuilder before the yard is finished. Door locations, finished ground levels, drainage, utilities, and access for construction can all affect the plan. An early conversation helps identify work that needs coordination between trades.
If you have already moved in, start with photographs, any available site plans, and a few observations about daily life. Which door do you use most? Where would you sit in the evening? What view would you like to keep open?
Set the character with the OG
The broad surface boards of the OG give a deck a clear visual presence. Consider their direction alongside the lines of the house, the approach from the yard, and the furniture you want to use. Douglas fir and Western red cedar offer different color and grain; seeing real work can make that choice easier.
The 4×12 name describes the surface board arrangement. It does not prescribe the foundations, framing, connections, or board lengths for every site. Those details belong in the plan for your particular project. You do not need to rule out the OG simply because your backyard is compact.
Browse BigDecks project photographs for a sense of proportion and how wood works alongside the house and landscape.
Plan the connections through the yard
Think beyond the rectangle of the deck. A step down to a limestone path, a planted edge, or a well-placed screen can help the outdoor space feel complete. Decide which connections matter now and which you may want to add later.
BigDecks offers selective West Texas planting, limestone pavers, blocks and steps, pathways, and steel edging. We develop landscape and stonework through Design Assist and build it as part of the project. Shade, wood or steel fencing, and outdoor bathing can also be considered within a coordinated outdoor plan.
Design Assist is a paid 3D design and planning service for projects with multiple components or a site plan. The fee is credited toward the build when you proceed with BigDecks. Straightforward builds do not require a design fee.
Agree on the handoff between builders
For a new home, a useful planning conversation covers:
- The homebuilder's remaining work and who coordinates the next steps.
- The proposed deck footprint, doors, steps, and finished ground levels.
- Existing plans, drainage concerns, utilities, and access to the backyard.
- Which approvals, inspections, or specialist input the project requires, and who handles them.
- The scope, material selections, and schedule before construction begins.
Share your move-in date, but confirm the deck schedule separately. Site readiness, material selection, and the agreed scope determine when work can happen.
Explore the budget before fixing the scope
Use the BigDecks pricing tool to explore an OG deck with your approximate dimensions. It provides a planning estimate. A written project quote confirms the materials, scope, and price.
For a simpler deck, Standard Decks is our entry option. It uses pressure-treated pine for both structure and surface, with ring-shank nail construction. It comes unfinished by default; finish can be purchased separately, à la carte.
Make the first conversation useful
Send your project location, approximate dimensions, photographs or available plans, and a short description of how you want to use the yard. If your homebuilder is still on site, include the current stage of the work.
Start a project conversation with BigDecks to plan a real-wood deck for your Austin or Central Texas home.
Planning a project? Explore BigDecks OG 4×12, estimate your deck, or work through your layout with Design Assist. Material availability, pricing, and site requirements are confirmed for your project.